Mistakes to Avoid Furnishing the Baby Nursery
A new baby, and all that goes with it, can be very overwhelming for new parents. After all, there are many things that must be taken into consideration. With limited space, how can I fit all that I need in the designated room? What exactly do I need in the baby nursery? Can I get away with using a borrowed or used crib? These are all questions you may have and I hope to give some insightful answers.
Whether you have room to spare or find yourself with a limited confine in which to work, resist the urge of purchasing every piece of furniture that strikes your fancy. I don’t want to steal anyone’s bliss at this happy time in your life but I do want to help you not make mistakes. Remember that the baby’s nursery is supposed to be a peaceful place. Too much furniture in the room can give way to a cluttered, congested feel so purchase your baby nursery furniture with consideration of the room.
In the same vein of not needing every piece of furniture in the growing baby market today, there are a few essential pieces that every nursery should have. They are a comfortable adult sized chair. Remember that you’re going to be spending quite a bit of time in the new nursery; some very late nights in the new nursery and a comfy chair is going to be important. The chair doesn’t have to be a rocker but in consideration of the rocker, it is nice to be able to catch a cat nap while rocking a fussing baby. Also essential is a changing table. A changing table can be a real back saver when going through those several thousand diaper changes; several thousand being the amount an average child will go through in their life. And finally, a crib for all those hours and hours of sleeping your newborn is going to be doing their first year of life. Consider these essential pieces of baby nursery furniture before adding anything else to the room.
Speaking of nursery cribs, the question that many new parents have is can they safely use a used or antique family heirloom crib? The answer is yes but one mistake far too many parents make is not thinking of safety first. Many times, parents think, “Well, that was my crib and I made out just fine” but the safety standards have increased for a reason. And the one thing you do not want to compromise is your new baby’s safety. When using a used crib, it goes without saying, make sure the crib is in good shape. Make sure there are no missing parts or damaged parts. And, do a check to see if this particular crib model has been recalled for any reason. When using an “antique” crib, make sure to measure the space between the slats, and make sure no slats are missing. A thorough safety check of the crib will provide you and your new baby many restful nights.
It’s understandable that you may feel overwhelmed with all that a new baby needs but with some careful thought and planning you will avoid any potential furnishing mistakes.